Ampeg - new believer!

I have been kicking around getting another head for ahwile. I was an inch away from picking up a Walter Woods head when I saw the light....

I stopped in at the local GC yesterday to see what they had. I haven't played through an Ampeg since I'd sold my 70's SVT around '82.

Well, I plugged into a SVT Pro 4 head and was amazed at the tone, variety of sound and incredible volume! I a/b'ed it with a SVT Classic as was amazed how "tube-like" the Pro 4 sounds. In fact, there was little (if no) difference in "tube warmth" and the Pro 4 seemed to have a little more kick. I understand there are 3 tubes in the preamp section, so that explains the sound. You've gotta love a 5-year wattanty also!

When the dust settles and all the flavor-of-the-month brands have lost their luster, Ampeg still shines. Not that other brands aren't great, but I think they're always trying to improve on a sound that doesn't really need improving, the Ampeg sound. I think it's the benchmark.

damn straight wally! my b-100 rocket combo is just so damn slick, i love it. it packs a good volume punch and awesome tone. it's just perfect. as long as i dont start playing HUGE venues (which i dont think will ever happen) i dont know if i'll ever want to upgrade...and i bought that combo 3 years ago as a temporary practice amp!

I dealt with this by combining the V4 BH,(SVT sound, but a manageable 40 lbs & loud enough for most clubs- 100 TUBE RMS- I like tubes)with a
SVT48HE 4x8 cab w/ horn- Also very manageable, not that heavy, rolls right in on coasters.
The sound- Well, ya got your snappy 4x8's giving great attack & definition, highs, lows, mids along with TUBES! Ultra-High/Ultra Low, "presence" switch
on head gives a great glassy tone when I want it.
Ampeg tone throughout!

Ha HA HA,
Don't you know they are under powered and they use eminence speakers and they are built buy Crate and fIeLdY doesn't use one and you can't transport them on your skateboard and real bass players use EDEN?????
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Ha HA HA,
Don't you know they are under powered and they use eminence speakers and they are built buy Crate and fIeLdY doesn't use one and you can't transport them on your skateboard and real bass players use EDEN?????.
Welcome to the family

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Dang, I guess I'll have to change brands. It was all good until the fIeLdY thing.

I'm running my svp-pro through the 1850hd, and I'm pretty pleased with the results. The svp is pretty versatile without being needlessly complex. The drive and gain controls are really handy for some cool overdriven sounds, and it overdrives nicely without ever sounding harsh. It can also get really deep and clean too if that's what you're after.

I mainly play rock, and this preamp definitely feels at home in that territory. You can tweak the low end for tons of punch without sounding boomy, and there's plenty of room for glassy highs too. It's got harmonic content in spades, cool stuff. Aside from the 'Ampeg sound', this unit allows the unique sound of each instrument to come through nicely.

I played an Ampeg B25 last night. I fixed it all up and cleaned it for the drummer. It had been kicking around for years missing fuse holder. It sounded nice and warm but think it would have more punch if I replaced 7027s output tubes. Its at his house so I won't have to bring an amp to practice.
Rock on
Benton

Originally posted by Benton I played an Ampeg B25 last night. I fixed it all up and cleaned it for the drummer. It had been kicking around for years missing fuse holder. It sounded nice and warm but think it would have more punch if I replaced 7027s output tubes. Its at his house so I won't have to bring an amp to practice.
Rock on
Benton

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I'd run it by PsychoBassGuy on TB before I did anything like that. Most techs will tell you that the power tubes don't generally need to be replaced unless there's a problem. Remember, the B25 is only 50 watts, I think. Don't know how much serious punch you'd get out of it no matter what you did.

i have an SVT2pro head. it is a massive pain in the arse to move, in fact it never goes on top of my stack because i just cant lift it above waist height.
on top of that the bastard gets red hot within half and hour and whilr it sounds cool when its really running, you just cant touch it afterwards!!!

i just recently purchased the B4-R.. it's a little brother to that SVT-4.. i'm stoked. i was a dedicated (or confused?) SWR user for about 6 years.. i'm getting ready to get another cab so i can really pump the bugger and see what it can do. so far, very happy. solid-state ain't too bad!

Gee I didn't realize I had to run it by the big phycobassgod before I change a tube.

"I'd run it by PsychoBassGuy on TB before I did anything like that. Most techs will tell you that the power tubes don't generally need to be replaced unless there's a problem. "
MarkMcCombs

I played it next to my traynor YBA-1 and it lacked punch. I heard some 30 year old tubes. If I were to gig with it I would have a fresh set of Svetlana 6l6 in it but for practice the're just fine. I may not be as wise as the psyco but replace a few tubes.
Rock on
Benton

Welcome to the family. I love my Ampeg equipment. I have one cab, an SVT 410 HLF, that I use w/a Carvin RL-210 (has an Ampeg Badge on grill ). I have lots of amps. An SVT II Pro, V4-B re-issue, an SVP-Pro that is used w/ an AMpeg SVP-1500 poweramp & an SVT-2P that I use with a SoundTech PS-802 poweramp.

Latley I've been using the SVP-PRO/SVP-1500 w/both of my cabs. We recentlty played a blockparty outdoors & it sounded fantastic. Next Fri (8/23) I'll be using it at a gig. I can't wait.

I've used Ampeg equipment since the early '60s. I've tried many others, currently own some others, but always prefer Ampeg.

My main gig amp is currently an older SVT-III head (older version of the SVT-3Pro). I love it. I have considered buying a newer head, but it works so well that I just can't justify it. I own four Ampeg Classic Series cabs that I use with it in various combinations (2 1x15s, 2x10, 4x10). I also have B-100R that I use for smaller venues.

You really can't go wrong with Ampeg, regardless of all of the claims made by owners of Eden, SWR, Hartke, etc. I don't knock these other amps, they're good equipment, if you like the sound they produce. I just happen to prefer the sound that Ampeg produces. I even own a Fender, Ashdown, and Peavey. All bought for various reasons that I couldn't find and Ampeg for, and they fulfill their purposes quite well.